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Advice

Hi Everyone,
Need some advice regarding what I am trying to do. I want to design my own digital scrapbook papers and maybe down the line create my own clipart. I have ivested in Adobe Cloud Suite Photoshop CS6 and Illustrator. I have purchased tutorials which are going great. But I guess in my mind I am still wondering should I continue with this. For starters I don't have a Graphic Design degree, second I can not draw and third it is taking me forever to learn how to do basic digital papers (I know I have to have patience and work hard). I need the truth am I going in the right direction or am I thinking to big? I guess that is what I am trying to say. Do you need a degree in Graphic Design?
-Nikki

Why is your main reason for doing this?
Are you a scrapper?
Do you like to design for scrap or for other kind of public (I.E, websites/blog design, T-shirt making, to make cool signatures for forums, etc)...
Why do you choose the word "clipart"?

Hi Lorien,
Main reason for doing this is it's low start-up and I want to have my own business online, I am "new" to scrapping. I am enjoying how to design for scrap (learning process)
and for "clipart" maybe I should have said vector images.

I suggest you, then, to scrap for a while (at least 6 months) first, for some reasons: a) To know the names of the things (we dont use neiter "clipart" nor "vector" or "stock" in scrap, but usually "elements" or "embelishments") b) To know what comes in a kit, what is really useful, what are good sizes for dimensioning each kind of element, what market already have in bunches, what market don´t have at all and how scrapbookers will think of certain kinds of new stuff. c) lots, and I really mean lots of scrapbook designers starting makinq kits to scrap their own pictures.

You should also enter a CT (creative team) of someone else to see how is to work with kits from different themes and what makes them easy or difficult to scrap with. I am in two CTs (Callaluna´s Creations from Heather Neal and Scrappiness Designs) and to work with their kits as a scrapper realy made my views as a designer get better.

While you are in this "get to know better what digiscrapping is", get involved slowly on actions that designs do when they are starting to starting getting knwon, for example, blog trains and designer contests/challenges. A designer that don´t give away gernerous free samples of her work usually sells better if this work is appreciated. It also helps you to know if the people are interested in your designs.

You don´t need a graphic designer degree, and you can think on selling your stuff in a medium - long term, but for me it seems you are still too "raw" (so am I lol, I´m still a terrible designer, but I´m learning fast ) to think in selling stuff - costumers have lots of choices and are really exigent in terms of content and quality, and if they buy something and then realise it´s low quality they´ll never buy again...

Also, it´s probably not to cheap to start as it seems: You will probably want a assorted range of CU stuff to add to your stash along with things you make from scratch, and also styles, actions, softwares and so on. You can get lots for free, but, if you got for free, the possibilty of find lots of designers that uses the same sources as you are big...

I agree with Lorien. You need to learn the basic stuff of digital scrapbooking and how the different elements are used. There are also standards for the different types of elements and quality checks you should have in place to make sure your products meet the consumers' expectations on quality. I think taking classes and doing tutorials is a great way to learn, but also just getting in there and playing around will teach you a lot about what your software can do. There are some great tutorials here to show you some basic (and some more advanced) techniques on how to create the different pieces of digital scrapbooking kits.

While the startup isn't that huge an investment, it isn't a guarantee that you will just start selling the minute you open the doors to your online store. It takes a lot of time to build up a following and clientelle. This is my second go around with selling my kits and, while I love designing, it sure wouldn't pay any bills. I'm lucky if hubby and I can go out for a nice dinner on what I'm bringing from my sales right now (my store has been open for just under 2 months now).

And, no, you don't need a graphics degree to get into this business. It sure would help, but I would say most designers are self-taught and just like playing with the software. I don't have a degree in graphics design, but I am quite computer savvy and that really helps.

I agree with what everyone has already said, I have been a designer for 15 years and have not got a degree in designing but have learnt through many many hours of hard work, online tutorials & trial and error.
I have only just recently began to sell my designs online. It does have a financial outlay as many free supplies you cannot use to make things and then sell them!
I make the majority of my supplies myself from scratch as this is the most satisfying way and it saves having to check on everyone elses TOU! ( these themself can be very confusing especially as everyone has different terms of use), It is also alot cheaper!lol!!
I do however buy a few supplies from some online shops.
Take time and enjoy playing with CS6 & learning as much as you can before venturing on a business, it doesnt make loads of money, but to fund your hobby, or to buy a few 'treats' for yourself and your family each month is probably more realistic Anything more is a bonus!
Good luck with whatever you decide to do